Study Abroad Quotes, Attributed and Sorted by Use

Study abroad quotes are short lines about travel, living in another country, and learning from it. This list is sorted by use, for application essays, send-off cards, and photo captions, and each quote is attributed or flagged where the attribution is uncertain.

Quotes for Application Essays and Statements

Use one only if it connects to a specific point you make.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”

— Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad (1869)

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

— Marcel Proust, La Prisonnière (translations vary)

Quotes for Send-Off Cards

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

— Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching (traditional translation)

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

— Nelson Mandela, speech at Mindset Network launch, Johannesburg (2003)

Quotes for Captions

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

— J.R.R. Tolkien, “All that is gold does not glitter,” The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)

Quotes With Uncertain Attribution

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page” is credited to Saint Augustine, but no source in his writings has been found. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do” is credited to Mark Twain, but it does not appear in his work.

Choosing a Quote

Short lines work best for captions and cards. For essays, pick one that matches a specific experience you describe. Related collections: college quotes, off to college quotes, and quotes about learning.

FAQ

What is a good quote about studying abroad?

Mark Twain’s line on travel and prejudice is sourced and widely used for essays and captions.

Did Twain say to explore, dream, discover?

No. That quote has no documented source in his writing.

Can I use a quote in a study abroad application?

Yes, if it is short, cited, and tied to your own experience.